10 Ways Darren Aronofsky Basically Remade The Wrestler In Black Swan

3. Drug Use/Abuse

Requiem for a Dream may be the definitive film about drug addiction. And while there is nothing as extreme as an amputated Jared Leto or another "ass-to-ass," Aronofsky delves into the subject matter once again with The Wrestler and Black Swan. Nina's only real experience with drugs is when Lily spikes her drink at the bar. Cue crazy-editing and viewing not suitable for people with photosensitive epilepsy. She regains her composure to find herself in the filth of the club bathroom with a shaven-headed stranger before stumbling out into the night. Randy's experience is much more prevalent. While the previous scene could have been lifted straight from a reel of Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler tackles the topic with a grounded hand. We are guided through his and others' use of steroids; an addiction to prescription pills (Randy deals them to a bouncer at one point); and cocaine manages to rear its ugly head when he is at his lowest (which again sees the protagonist sexually entangled in a dirty bathroom).